DOMINION'S DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22436, 4 June 1936, Page 13

DOMINION'S DEFENCE

URGENCY OF PROBLEM POSITION TOO EASY IN PAST [by telegraph—press association! WELLINGTON. Wednesday Means of improving the defence facilities of New Zealand were dis'cussed by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last evening, members being of the opinion that at present the Dominion is vulnerable to attack from an enemy. The restoration of compulsory military training, the development of aerial defence by importing more fighters and bombers, the building up of a larger mobile land force, and a naval force for coastal defence, possibly by submarines, were among the measures advocated. The extreme insularity of New Zealand was a factor that must be considered in planning adequate defence, said Mr. W. M. Wright. Opinion favoured aerial defence oft account of its mobility. New Zealand had been too comfortable in the past, thinking that Britain would always come to her aid. It was necessary to put fear into the people to educate them to tho position. Mr. C. J. B. Norwood agreed that the defence problem was urgent. There was an intelligence department at work in the Dominion, whose duty it was to keep close touch with Britain, but it was difficult for the ordinary business man to know what steps were being taken. It was felt that because of the international tension tho Dominion's defence must be improved, and because of the distance reliance for protection could not wholly be placed 011 Britain, who was busy with her own problems.